Blocking device for locking horizontally sliding doors and windows

ABSTRACT

Blocking device for locking sliding doors, windows, and other closures, wherein a removable blocking element having a locking pin therewith is adapted to be mounted with the locking pin in an opening in the lower portion of a frame for a horizontally sliding door or window so that the element blocks the movement of the door or window in the closed position but is completely removable when it is desired to open the door or window, and wherein the removable element and locking pin therewith may be stored inconspicuously on the main closure frame, whereby no obstruction to passage through the open door or window is provided by the blocking device and storage of the blocking device for ready availability for subsequent use is accomplished.

Unite tates Patent [72] Inven or J h L- MOhlm 2,792,246 /1957 Sisson .I292/l0l 6215 F n R p 2 3 t n, 3,055,064 9/1962 Riegelman 49/451P81977036 3,103,713 9/1963 Ahlgren.... 49/413 PP 46,103 3,428,349 2/1969Shelton. 292/288 [22] Filed June 15, 1970 3,490,802 l/l970 Zeit 292/145Patented Nov. 23, 1971 Primary ExammerGeorge F. Mautz AssistantExaminer-Edward J. McCarthy 4 BLQCKING DEVICE FOR LOCKINGAttorney-Pravel, Wilson & Matthews HORIZONTALLY SLIDING DOORS ANDWINDOWS 9 i 9 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: Blockmg devlce for lockmg shclmgdoors, wmdows, and other closures, wherein a removable blocklng ele-[52] US. Cl 292/288, ent having a locking pin therewith is adapted to bemounted /4 2 2/DiG- 46 with the locking pin in an opening in the lowerportion of a [5 1] Int. CL ..E05c 19/18, frame for a horizontallysliding door or window so that the ele- 505d 13/06 ment blocks themovement of the door or window in the [50] Field of Search 292/288, l do ition but is completely removable when it is desired 1 339, 175, toopen the door or window, and wherein the removable ele- 9/449, 450;52/207 ment and locking pin therewith may be stored inconspicuously onthe main closure frame, whereb no obstruction to assa e [56] ReferemCited through the open door or window provided by the bl ockir 1g UNITEDSTATES PATENTS device and storage of the blocking device for readyavailability 979,251 12/1910 Berry 49/449 x for subsequent use isaccomplishedl fig 1 1 /0-- l k\ 1 2AA? 9 3 /7 l f khf BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The field of this invention is blocking apparatus for lockingsliding doors and/or windows.

Doors, windows and other closures which have a fixed panel and ahorizontally sliding panel have been in use for a number of years. Sincethe locks which are normally provided with such sliding closures aresusceptible to opening by prying and other manipulations from theoutside. various efforts have been made to block the sliding panel insuch closures, examples of which are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,328,920and 3,378,293. Additionally, rods or bars of approximately the length ofthe fixed panel have often been inserted in the track for the slidingpanel to block its movement. The locking bar of U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,920is essentially just such a rod or bar which is pivotally mounted on theclosure frame. Both of such types of bars or rods suffer from thedisadvantage of being unsightly. The loose bar or rod is especially aproblem since it must be stored in a closet to get it out of sight, inwhich case it is usually far from the door. lost or broken when neededagain. The pivoted bar of U.S. Pat. No. 3,328,920 is also relativelyexpensive.

The blocking element of US. Pat. No. 3,378,293 is fixed to the floor sothat it cannot be removed when the sliding panel is opened, therebycausing an obstruction to passage. It is also subject to a torque forceif an attempt is made to move the sliding panel when the blockingelement is in the blocking position. Furthermore, the blocking elementof said patent is limited to use on sliding panels which slide on theinside of the fixed panel, and since many sliding panels slide on theoutside of the fixed panels, the blocking element of said patent is oflimited value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a blockingdevice for locking a sliding door, window or other closure, wherein afixed panel and a horizontally sliding panel are mounted in a mainclosure frame. The blocking device is suitable for blocking either aninside sliding panel or an outside sliding panel from the inside; it iseasily removable and is small and light in weight so that it can beeasily handled; and it is readily and conveniently stored on the closureframe itself in an inconspicuous location whn not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an isometric viewillustrating a conventional sliding closure, with one form of theapparatus of this invention in locking position;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to illustrate furtherdetails of the blocking device of this invention in position for lockingthe sliding door or closure;

FIG. 2A is a view taken on line 2A2A ofFlG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, ofa portion of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 to furtherillustrate on form of the blocking device of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a modified formofthe blocking device ofthis invention in use with a sliding door orclosure which is disposed on" the outside of the fixed panel;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the form of the invention illustratcd inFIG. 5, taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view, further illustrating the form of theinvention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the blocking device in the form oftheinvention shown in FIGS. 5-7.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the letter Adesignates generally a conventional sliding door or closure, whichincludes a closure frame F which is nonnally made of aluminum and towhich is fixed or secured a fixed panel FF, and which has mountedtherewith a sliding panel SP (FIGS. 1 and 2). The letter B designatesgenerally the blocking device of this invention (FIGS. 1-4) which isutilized when the sliding panel SP is disposed on the inside of thefixed panel FP. In this connection, it is to be noted that FIG. 1portrays the sliding closure A from the inside of a room. As will beexplained more in detail, the blocking device B is adapted to bedisposed in the lower portion of the closure frame F for abuttingengagement with one vertical edge of the sliding panel SP (FIG. 2) toprevent sliding movement of the panel SP until the blocking device B isremoved from the closure frame F.

Although the particular construction of the sliding closure A forms nopart of the present invention, a brief reference to the illustratedparts of the sliding closure A is made for the purposes of providing asufficient reference to explain the use and cooperation of the blockingdevice B with the sliding closure A. Thus, the fixed panel FP includes arectangular frame 10 which may be fonned of aluminum or other metal andwhich is constructed so as to ing panel SP has a rectangular frame 12which is also of metal such as aluminum and it also has therewith a pane14 of glass or other similar material. The lower portion of the frame 12preferably has mounted thereon a plurality of rollers 15 (FIG. 2A) whichare preferably rolled on a track ridge 16 formed in the lower part ofthe closure frame F.

The frame F preferably has its inner edge raised as indicated at 17 sothat a recess 18 is formed between the ridge l7 and the track ridge 16which is utilized for receiving the blocking device B, as will be morefully explained.

The blocking device B illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 includes a blockingelement or bar 20 which is adapted to be disposed in the recess 18 inthe lower portion of the frame F. The blocking element or bar 20 is of alength which is less than the width of the fixed panel FP, and itpreferably is of a length of approximately 2 inches, although it shouldbe understood that such length is given by way of example only toillustrate the relatively small length ofthe blocking element or bar 20.

The blocking element 20 is preferably a solid metal bar formed ofaluminum or other similar metal and is preferably square in crosssection and it is of a width small enough to be received within therecess 18 in the lower portion of the closure frame F. The blockingelement 20 has a vertical opening 200 formed therein, through whichextends a locking pin 25 which has a lower locking portion 25a extendingbelow the lower surface 20b of the blocking element 20 for a purpose tobe hereinafter described. The locking pin 25 also extends upwardly so asto have an upper grasping portion 25b which extends above the uppersurface 20c of the blocking element 20. In the preferred fonn of theinvention, threads or other undulations are formed on the lower portion25a of the locking pin 25.

The lower portion 250 of the locking pin 25 is adapted to extend througha hole 26 formed in the lower portion of the closure frame F with adrill or other suitable tool. The hole 26 is located from the verticaledge 12a of the frame 12 a sufficient distance so that an electric drillmay be readily positioned adjacent the vertical edge 12a in the drillingof the hole 26. The location of the hole 26 also locates the distance ofthe locking pin 25 from the vertical edge 12a of the sliding panel SP.Preferably, the distance of the hole 26 from the vertical edge 12a ofthe sliding panel SP is W4 to 1% inches, although it will be understoodthat such distance may be varied within the limits explained heretofore.For example, the hole 26 could be positioned further from the verticaledge 12a, but this would merely serve to increase the length of theblocking element or bar 20 so that would be an unnecessary modification.The hole 26 could be moved in more closely to the vertireceive a glasspane II. The slid-- ca] edge 12a, providing a special tool is developed,but for normal installation using conventional equipment such as aconventional drill for the drilling of the hole 26, the dimensions givenabove as examples are important.

The locking pin 25 is secured to the blocking bar by any suitable meanssuch as a retaining pin 28 which extends through an opening 250 in thepin and also through an opening 20d in the bar 20. The threads orundulations on the lower portion 25a of the locking pin 25 do not threadinto the opening 26, but they will engage the sides or wall of the hole26 in the event an efiort is made to remove the pin 25 at an angle otherthan vertically. Thus, such threads or undulations on the portion 25amake it necessary to vertically lift the locking pin 25 and the element20 therewith in order to free the device B from its blocking position.Since it would be virtually impossible to cause such vertical movementof the blocking device B byjiggling the door SP or by manipulations fromthe outside of the building in which the sliding door or closure A islocated, the blocking device B thus is prevented from being removed bysomeone trying to break into the building through the sliding door orclosure A. However, a person may readily grasp the upward extension 25bof the locking pin 25 with two fingers and pull same up substantiallyvertically when on the inside of the house, and when it is desired toopen the door SP from the inside.

For the purposes of storage of the blocking device B when it is removedfrom its blocking position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. a hole 30 (FIG. 1)may be drilled in the frame F or at any other suitable location adjacentto the closure A for receiving the lower portion 250 of the pin 25 tothereby hold the blocking device B in an inconspicuous place, butreadily available to a user for subsequent repositioning in the blockingposition.

In the operation or use of the blocking device B illustrated in FIGS.1-4, it is initially positioned with the pointed lower end 25a of theblocking device B in position on the lower part of the frame F, where itultimately is positioned for blocking the sliding movement of thesliding panel SP. The lower end of the pin 25 is pointed so as to form amarking punch, and therefore, the installer may hit the upper end 25b ofthe pin 25 to mark the point on the frame F at which the hole 26 is tobe drilled. With the blocking device B removed from the blockingposition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hole 26 is drilled at the point ofthe punch mark formed by the pointed lower end of the pin 25, and suchhole 26 is preferably just slightly larger than the external diameter ofthe lower portion 25a of the pin 25 so that there is substantially notravel of the blocking device B when the lower end 250 of the pin 25 isin the hole 26. Also, the closer the fit between the lower end 250 ofthe pin 25 and the hole 26, the more effective are the threads orundulations on such lower portion 25a in preventing a removal of theblocking device B except by substantially vertical lifting as previouslyexplained.

After the hole 26 has thus been drilled or otherwise formed in the lowerportion of the frame F, the blocking device B is ready for use and maybe positioned as illustrated in the drawings for blocking the slidingmovement of the sliding panel SP so that it is virtually impossible topry or otherwise force the sliding panel SP to an open position.However, the occupant of the house or building may readily lift theblocking device B upwardly by grasping the pin 25 at its upper portion25b and lifting it substantially vertically upwardly and then it may beplaced in the hole 30 as previously explained, or it may be placed inany other suitable location for subsequent use when it is desired torelock the sliding door SP.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5,wherein a different type of sliding door or closure A4 is illustrated,which includes a sliding pane] SP4 and a fixed panel FP-l. A closure A-ldiffers principally from the closure A in that the sliding panel SP-I isdisposed outside of the fixed panel FPI. In other words, the fixed panelFPI is on the room side of the building, whereas the sliding panel SP-lis on the outside portion of the housing or building. The

frame F-l illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the frame F, except thatthe track ridge 117 is disposed on the outer portion of the frame F-lfor receiving the rollers on the sliding panel SP-l (FIGS. 5 an 6).Thus, except for being reversed in positions, the panels SP-l and FP-lare normally the same as the panels SP and FE, respectively andtherefore they bear the same numerals and/or letters in both forms ofthe closure.

Since the sliding panel SP-l is outside of the fixed panel FP-l, thearrangement for the blocking device B of FIGS. 1-4 cannot be used withthe sliding door or closure A-l. A modified blocking device Bl isprovided for maintaining the sliding door or panel SP-l in the closedposition, even though it is disposed outside of the fixed panel FP-l.

The blocking device B-l includes a blocking element or bar whichcorresponds with the blocking element or bar 20 of the blocking deviceB. A locking pin is provided in the bar 120 and it is held againstrotation by a retaining pin 128 which corresponds with the pin 25 andthe retaining pin 28 of FIGS. 3 and 4.

An attachment means C is secured to the frame 12 of the sliding panelSP-l, so as to extend inside thereof for engagement of the blockingelement or bar 120 (FIG. 5) so as to thereby prevent the sliding of thepanel SP-l to an open position. A suitable hole 126 is provided in theframe F-l for receiving the lower end 1250 of the pin 125 in the samemanner as heretofore described in connection with the blocking device B.

The attachment means C is thus located with an attachment block 50forming a part thereof in engagement with the latching element 120. Theattachment block 50 is secured to a connecting plate 51 by bolts 52having nuts 52a therewith, or any other suitable securing means. Theconnecting plate 51 is secured to the frame 12 of the sliding panel SP-lat a location below its edge 12b, which is normally below the handleused for opening and closing the sliding panel SP-l (see handle 32 inFIG. 1 for a typical location of a handle). Although the connectingplate 51 may be secured to such frame 12 by any suitable means,preferably two screws 55 which thread from the inside of the slidingpanel SP-l fit into elongated sleeves 56, of conventional constructionand having internal threads 5611 for receiving in threaded engagementtherewith the bolts 55. The heads 56b of the sleeves 56 are smooth sothat no screwdriver or other tool can engage them for turning purposes.It will be appreciated that suitable openings 57 are drilled or areotherwise formed in the frame 12 for receiving the sleeves 56. The holes57 should be drilled at a location so that the lower surface 50a of theattachment block 50 is disposed above the surface 60 of the frame F-l.

A stabilizing plate 65 is preferably secured outwardly of the attachmentblock 50 by the same bolts 52 and the nuts 52a therewith (FIG. 7). Suchstabilizing plate 65 extends longitudinally beyond the ends 5012 and 50cof the attachment block 50 so as to form a recess at each end of thestabilizing plate 65 for receiving the blocking element or bar 120,depending upon which side the bar 120 is located relative to theattachment block 50. Thus, in the form of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 5-8, the bar 120 is on the right-hand side of the attachment block50 and fits into the recess as illustrated in FIG. 7. However, shouldthe sliding panel SP-l be located on the right-hand side of the closureA-l, and the fixed panel FP-l at the same time be located on theleft-hand side thereof, then the opposite recess on the left-hand sideof the plate 65 would serve to receive the blocking element or bar 120.

In the operation or use of the blocking device 8-1, the attachment meansC is first installed by drilling appropriate holes 57 through the frame12 of the sliding panel SP-l. As noted above, the holes 57 are drilledat a sufficiently high elevation to locate the lower surface 500 of theconnecting block 50 above the surface 60 of the lower portion of theclosure frame F-l so that the block 50 and the stabilizing plates 65 donot drag or engage the surface 60 of the frame F] when the sliding panelSP-l is moved relative thereto. After the attachment means C is thuspositioned on the sliding panel SP-l with the bolts 55 and theinternally threaded sleeves 56, the blocking element or bar 120 isdisposed in the position shown in H0. 5, and the pointed lower end ofthe pin 125 is utilized to make a mark on the surface 60 of the frameF-l. A hammer may be used to strike the upper part of the pin 125 tomake such mark with the lower pointed end of the pin 125 if necessary.Thereafter, the door SP-l may be opened to get the attachment means Cout of the way for the drilling of the hole 126 in the frame F-l. Sincethe sliding panel or door SPl may thus be moved, the precise location ofthe pin 125 with respect to the end 50b of the attachment block 50 isnot as critical as heretofore described in connection with the locationofthe pin 25 relative to the vertical surface 120 in FIG. 3.

After the hole 126 has been drilled, the blocking device 8-1 is readyfor use, so that when the pin 125 is positioned in the hole 126, theengagement of the bar 120 with the attachment block 50 prevents anyopening movement of the sliding panel SP-l. The stabilizing plate 65prevents a twisting or turning movement of the bar 120 should someoneattempt to jiggle or turn the element 120 byjiggling or otherwisemanipulating the door SPl from the outside thereof.

However, the bar 120 may be readily removed from ,its blocking positionby lifting upwardly on the upper portion of the pin 125. The bar 120with its pin 125 may then be stored in a convenient location such as thehole 30 illustrated in FIG. 1. With the bar 120 and the pin 125 removedfrom their blocking position shown in H6. 5, the sliding panel SP-l maybe opened in the normal manner, carrying with it the attachment means C.When it is desired to again lock the sliding panel SP1, the bar 120 withthe pin 125 are repositioned as illustrated in FIG. 5 to again lock thepanel SP-l to prevent unauthorized entry into the building or housinghaving the closure A-l therein.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit oftheinvention.

lclaim:

l. A blocking device for locking a sliding closure having a slidingpanel and a fixed panel in a closure frame wherein the sliding panelslides in a trackway in the closure frame, comprising:

a blocking element having a length less than the width ofthe fixed paneland having sides adjacent walls of the trackway to prevent anysubstantial pivotal movement thereof in the trackway;

a locking pin secured to said blocking element only and hav ing alocking portion extending inwardly therefrom for removably positioningin a hole in the closure frame in close proximity to the sliding panel,whereby said blocking element serves to prevent an opening of thesliding panel from its closed position until said locking pin is removedfrom said hole in said closure frame; and

said locking portion having a diameter less than the size of said holein the closure frame to enable said pin and block therewith to beremoved from the frame by a straight outward movement.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking pin also has a grasping portion which extends in adirection away from the outer surface of said blocking element for asufiicient distance to enable a person to grasp the grasping portion ofsaid locking pin with his fingers for removing said locking pin from thehole in the closure frame.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said locking pin has an undulating external surface on the portionthereof extending below said locking pin for engaging the side of thehole in the closure frame unless the locking pin is moved outwardly in apredetermined direction.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said blocking element is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel andin engagement with one vertical edge of the sliding panel.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said locking pin is spaced from said vertical edge of the sliding panela distance great enough to permit the drilling of said hole in theclosure frame for receiving said locking pin.

6. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said blocking element is a solid bar of substantially square crosssection which is of a width to substantially fill the distance betweensaid walls of said trackway and which is small enough to beinconspicuously positioned elsewhere on said closure frame when not inuse.

7. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:

an attachment means for the sliding panel having an attachment blockextending inwardly from the sliding panel for engagement with saidblocking element when said locking pin is in said hole in said closureframe.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said attachment meansalso includes:

a connecting plate having connection with said attachment block andadapted to be connected to said sliding panel.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, wherein said attachment meansfurther includes:

a stabilizing plate mounted on said attachment block and spaced fromsaid connecting plate a distance slightly greater than the width of saidblocking element for confining same when said element is in engagementwith said attachment block.

1. A blocking device for locking a sliding closure having a slidingpanel and a fixed panel in a closure frame wherein the sliding panelslides in a trackway in the closure frame, comprising: a blockingelement having a length less than the width of the fixed panel andhaving sides adjacent walls of the trackway to prevent any substantialpivotal movement thereof in the trackway; a locking pin secured to saidblocking element only and having a locking portion extending inwardlytherefrom for removably positioning in a hole in the closure frame inclose proximity to the sliding panel, whereby said blocking elementserves to prevent an opening of the sliding panel from its closedposition until said locking pin is removed from said hole in saidclosure frame; and said locking portion having a diameter less than thesize of said hole in the closure frame to enable said pin and blocktherewith to be removed from the frame by a straight outward movement.2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said locking pin alsohas a grasping portion which extends in a direction away from the outersurface of said blocking element for a sufficient distance to enable aperson to grasp the grasping portion of said locking pin with hisfingers for removing said locking pin from the hole in the closureframe.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said locking pinhas an undulating external surface on the portion thereof extendingbelow said locking pin for engaging the side of the hole in the closureframe unless the locking pin is moved outwardly in a predetermineddirection.
 4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said blockingelement is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel and in engagementwith one vertical edge of the sliding panel.
 5. The structure set forthin claim 4, wherein: said locking pin is spaced from said vertical edgeof the sliding panel a distance great enough to permit the drilling ofsaid hole in the closure frame for receiving said locking pin.
 6. Thestructure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said blocking element is asolid bar of substantially square cross section which is of a width tosubstantially fill the distance between said walls of said trackway andwhich is small enough to be inconspicuously positioned elsewhere on saidclosure frame when not in use.
 7. The structure set forth in claim 1,including: an attachment means for the sliding panel having anattachment block extending inwardly from the sliding panel forengagement with said blocking element when said locking pin is in saidhole in said closure frame.
 8. The structure set forth in claim 7,wherein said attachment means also includes: a connecting plate havingconnection with said attachment block and adapted to be connected tosaid sliding panel.
 9. The structure set forth in claim 8, wherein saidattachment means further includes: a stabilizing plate mounted on saidattachment block and spaced from said connecting plate a distanceslightly greater than the width of said blocking element for confiningsame when said element is in engagement with said attachment block.